June 22, 2010
Great Jazz On The Cheap
By Jay Harvey of the Indianapolis Star
What could be a better expenditure of your jazz dollar (those of you who have at least a conceptual slice of your discretionary-income pie that’s flavored by jazz) than coming to the Jazz Kitchen on a Monday night and taking in a reliable musician’s new band — without a cover charge, and with the club’s “8 Before 8” (selected entrees cost just $8 when order before 8 p.m.) menu policy in effect?
That was the case Monday night when Frank Smith brought his “tale of two cities” quartet to the stage. Besides Indianapolis stalwart Kenny Phelps on drums, the group also included Bloomington’s Keith McCutcheon, director of Indiana University’s African-American Choral Ensemble, on piano and recent IU graduate Marlin McKay on trumpet.
McKay contributed a bluesy original to the band’s book of jazz and pop standards; he’d written it inspired by his family’s loving treatment of him on Father’s Day, Smith said from the stage. It had a tricky line set against a New Orleans shuffle or parade-ground rhythm — I’m almost surprised the performance didn’t empty out Yat’s next door.
The set opened with “Star Eyes,” with the leader in a deft quoting mood in his solo — “Mean to Me” and “It’s Only a Paper Moon” were tucked in there — and everyone contributing to the soulful effect.
Phelps took a great solo on brushes during “I Don’t Want to Be Kissed” — crisp, nimble and as if he were channeling Ed Thigpen. Speaking of channeling, I loved the reminiscence of Erroll Garner’s garlands of chords and tremolos that McCutcheon poured into his solo. It was a much different approach than we heard elsewhere from him (as in his equally effective, more single-line statement in J.J. Johnson’s “Lament), but just as acutely focused and full of personality.
The group tested itself in Herbie Hancock’s “One Finger Snap” and professionalism triumphed. McKay seems fully ready to move into the music’s fittest trumpet ranks, no matter where he decides to settle. In the meantime, this quartet is worth further exposure.
http://blogs.indystar.com/upstage/
Frank Smith receives Creative Renewal Fellowship
Jazz bassist Frank Smith was awarded a 2010 Creative Renewal Fellowship by the Indianapolis Arts Council. Fellows must have at least 10 years of experience in the arts as their primary source of income and are selected by a panel of national arts professionals. During his fellowship, Smith is studying jazz composition and classical bass techniques.
Jazz bassist honored as member of Indianapolis Jazz Foundation’s Hall of Fame
Frank Smith was added to the ranks of legendary musicians selected by the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation for its Hall of Fame. Smith was honored by the jazz foundation at its annual awards dinner in 2009. The jazz bassist joins the list of other Indiana jazz legends named by the foundation beginning in 1998 including: J.J. Johnson, David Baker, Buddy Montgomery, Slide Hampton and many other Indianapolis jazz musicians."Sound Effect"
By Jay Harvey
jay.harvey@indystar.com
June 17, 2007
The roots of most living green things in Central Indiana may be a little parched nowadays, but certain musical roots are being well-nourished, if the second day of the Indy Jazz Fest is any indication …
… Since groups of seven to 10 players in jazz are somewhat rare, it was fun to compare the Riley/Sickler group with bassist Frank Smith's aggregation in a brisk half-hour set on the Jazz Central Stage near the end of the day.
Drawing almost entirely from his first CD as a leader, "Chasing Chances," Smith's performance found him front and center on the electric bass. With the peerless Kenny Phelps on drums and Kevin Kaiser handling an array of complementary percussion, the music had a sweep and steadiness abetted by the flowing, intense guest vocals of Cynthia Layne. Pianist Steve Allee contributed gemlike, well-grounded accompaniment throughout.
A horn section consisting of top-drawer players (trumpeter Mark Buselli, saxophonist Mike Stricklin and trombonist Rich Dole) inserted apt comments in ensemble playing and solos …
Full story available at www.indystar.com
Oh, night sublime for bassist and band
by
JAY HARVEY
JAY.HARVEY@INDYSTAR.COM
Frank Smith CD release party
Where: The Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N. College Ave.
Bottom line: Mr. Jazz Bass of Indianapolis takes a well-deserved turn in the spotlight.
Contorting his usually amiable face into a grimace worthy of Beethoven, Smith opened his 90-minute first set Friday waving his arms in the air, eliciting a few dissonant, out-of-tempo chords from the band as if summoning order out of chaos with difficulty.
When the order emerged, it was sublimely home-centered in this most home-centered of seasons – a peppy tribute to the street where he lives, "Graceland Avenue." Playing the seven-string bass guitar, the 50-year-old Smith led the eight-piece band in a rousing performance.
His top-flight band sailed through smoothly textured original music. Smith's wealth of ideas was exuberantly expressed, and he gave and received inspiration in solos from such bandmates as guitarist Charlie Smith (no relation), pianist Steve Allee and saxophonist Rob Dixon. Thomas Brinkley nailed down the bass line on numbers featuring Smith's soaring on seven-string.